Altrusa supports a variety of projects. Some of the projects that have been recently funded by the organization are listed below.

Columbus Literacy Council

Altrusa has a long history of funding projects of the Columbus Literacy Council (CLC).

The CLC began in 1970, when Church Women United organized and trained literacy volunteers to teach English to Asian and Greek immigrants. The council's mission is to increase the literacy skills of adults in central Ohio functioning below the eighth grade level by teaching English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The work of this organization is important because central Ohio has realized a significant increase in its non-native born population. Columbus ranks number one for growth of immigrant and refugee populations in the last 10 years -- more than New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco.

This year, Altrusa is helping to fund educational materials in the classroom.

Homework Help Centers (Columbus Metropolitan Library System)

Altrusa has supported the Homework Help centers since the first location was opened in the Linden Library in 2004. Since Altrusa's initial funding of the Homework Help Centers at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the program has grown from one center to 23 locations in 2019. These centers provide what students need to succeed in school: Friendly staff and volunteers to help, welcoming spaces to study and learn, computers and printers, school supplies and resource books

Altrusa’s grant will provide school supplies for all Homework Help Centers.

Medicine for Mali

Medicine for Mali (MFM) is a non-profit, non-government organization founded in 2000 by the late Dr. Stephen J. DeVore. MFM serves an eight-village region with a population of 8,000 people, of which just 23% of men and 12% of women are literate. The majority of MFM projects directly benefit women and children.

The Altrusa grant funds will help 1000 students in 17 villages, by providing training for teachers and training for members of village management committees. Training will focus on improving reading and writing, increase teachers’ ability to learn from each other, maintaining existing knowledge on hygiene.

The boys and girls club of columbus

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus gives young people the support, guidance, tools, and skills to succeed in life. We provide comprehensive, affordable after school and summer programming for youth ages 6 through 18.

The Altrusa funds will go towards funding the literacy program at the Livingston Club, in the Livingston Elementary School. The BGCC will work with students to ensure they meet the Third Grade Reading Guarantee in addition to advancing reading proficiency in 3-6th grade students. The grant will provide books, supplies and Chromebooks for students.

Critical Difference for Women Scholarships

Critical Difference for Women (CDW) is a scholarship/grant-offering program for women seeking advanced education and enhanced professional lives at The Ohio State University. CDW reflects the university’s commitment to the specific needs of women students as they seek to realize their goals and dreams. Scholarships from Altrusa provide financial aid to women who have interrupted their education due to unforeseen obstacles and who are seeking undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees.

Depending on available funds, Altrusa will provide two or more $1,000 scholarships to students who meet the criteria and eligibility of the CDW Scholarship Program.

Click here to learn more about the Critical Difference for Women program at OSU.

Easter Seals of Central and Southeast Ohio

Easter Seals provides adult day, educational, therapeutic, recreational and early intervention services for people with disabilities or special needs in a 29-county area via four service sites—Columbus, Mt. Vernon, and two in Chillicothe.

The Altrusa grant funds will support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program by providing a free book a month for 400 families with children ages birth to five in the Hilliard and Hilltop areas. The program promotes parent and family interaction to strengthen the bond between parent and child as they read together, while increasing children’s chance of learning become successful in reading proficiency.

AGing solutions

Aging Solutions is a non-profit foundation that supports the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging's mission to promote choice, independence, and dignity for older adults and people with disabilities. Often individuals served through the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging need just a little extra help to maintain their quality of life and independence at home. Aging Solutions provides emergency funds for prescriptions, health and safety repairs or purchases, and other essential support.

Altrusa funding support consumers of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) by providing urgent goods and services that are not covered by any other funding sources. Requests to the Aging Solutions administrator from COAAA case managers may include prescriptions, health and safety repairs or purchases, replacement furniture, beds and bedding, space heaters and fans, or one-time rent or deposits. This assistance helps ensure that vulnerable individuals maintain their health, remain safe, retain their independence, or obtain or retain housing. The grant is estimated to serve 25 women with emergency needs.

Make a Difference Day

Altrusans across the country participate in the literacy activities of Make a Difference Day, combining their efforts to make an impact. The organization has won a national award from USA Today for its involvement with Make a Difference Day.

The Make a Difference Day Project in 2018 was cookie baking at the Ronald McDonald House.

In 2017, Altrusa International of Columbus, Ohio, will make a difference in the lives of people who are staying at the YWCA Family Center by reading books to children, playing games with them and letting them select books to keep.

National American Miss Books and school supplies

Since 2005, Altrusa of Columbus has partnered with the National American Miss Pageant. Participants collect books and school supplies as a service project. The club receives hundreds of books and school supplies and distributes them to community centers.